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Westbrook Closing Town Beach Due to Gatherings

As of Friday, March 27, Westbrook will close its Town Beach on Seaside Avenue, due to reports of people congregating there without following social distancing protocols, according to Health Director Zachary Faiella.

“We have had both negative and positive responses” to the closure, Faiella said via email. “But residents seem to understand these measures are warranted right now, while COVID-19 is in the community transmission stage. If it saves one person from falling ill, it’s done its purpose!”

Westbrook has two confirmed COVID-19 cases, both of whom “are doing well and adhering to isolation,” Faiella said.

All Westbrook playgrounds were closed as of March 24, including the playground at Daisy Ingraham School. Placards have been installed at the playgrounds to announce the closures, according to First Selectman Noel Bishop. The playgrounds were closed in response to reports of families taking children to the playgrounds after schools had closed, and concerns by town government that social distancing was not being practiced, Bishop explained.

The Westbrook Public Library, Senior Center, and Parks & Recreation facilities and programs remain closed to the public.

While Town Hall remains closed for walk-ins, departments can be contacted by telephone and appointments set up, when necessary. Meetings with town employees are being conducted at a table in the foyer and distance between people is being preserved, according to Faiella.

Bishop explained that all town employees, whether full time or part time and whether working in their offices in Town Hall or at home, are being paid.

“I want to public to know, You’re not going to lose any services, whatsoever,” Bishop said. “Some long-term projects might have to be put off.”

The Transfer Station remains open for its regular hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 pm.

Boards and commissions are conducting meetings according to guidelines issued by Governor Ned Lamont’s office, with no more than five people gathering in one place, maintaining social distancing, and using technology rather than meeting in person whenever possible.

The Visiting Nurses Office is closed to visitors, but a nurse can be reached during office hours by telephone at 860-399-3088. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. An answering service is monitoring the line when the office is closed.